For twelve long years, the dread fortress of Azkaban held an infamous prisoner named Sirius Black. Convicted of killing 13 people with a single curse, he was said to be the heir apparent to the Dark Lord, Voldemort. Now he has escaped, leaving only two clues as to where he might be headed: Harry Potter's defeat of You-Know-Who was Black's downfall as well. And the AzkabanFor twelve long years, the dread fortress of Azkaban held an infamous prisoner named Sirius Black. Convicted of killing 13 people with a single curse, he was said to be the heir apparent to the Dark Lord, Voldemort. Now he has escaped, leaving only two clues as to where he might be headed: Harry Potter's defeat of You-Know-Who was Black's downfall as well. And the Azkaban guards heard Black muttering in his sleep, "He's at Hogwarts...he's at Hogwarts." Harry Potter isn't safe, not even within the walls of his magical school, surrounded by his friends. Because on top of it all, there may well be a traitor in their midst....more

This answer contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)[
Vicki G,at the end of the book, Sirius wrote harry a letter. on the letter he explained there was money in his account and it was to make up for 13…more
Vicki G,at the end of the book, Sirius wrote harry a letter. on the letter he explained there was money in his account and it was to make up for 13 years of birthday gifts. he had Crookshanks, Hermoine's cat take the order to the owl office and ordered it using another name. (less)(hide spoiler)]["br"]>["br"]>

De WetTime travelling is always tricky to handle. For me it was perhaps the weakest spot in the book, but in an otherwise cracking read like this I'm happy…moreTime travelling is always tricky to handle. For me it was perhaps the weakest spot in the book, but in an otherwise cracking read like this I'm happy to just let things go without over analyzing them. Not much point spoiling my enjoyment of a book by trying to do science and logic on fictional magic.(less)

Since pretty much everyone I know has read these books, I figure reviewing them is pretty pointless. But with the new book coming out in a couple of weeks, I have to go through them beginning to end. To make the reviews more entertaining, I will be doing them in a variety of unexpected formats. For this review, I will be writing as Crookshanks fan fiction.

Crookshanks swished his tail back and forth as he crept up the stairs to the boys' bedrooms. He knew the rat wasn't what it was pretending toSince pretty much everyone I know has read these books, I figure reviewing them is pretty pointless. But with the new book coming out in a couple of weeks, I have to go through them beginning to end. To make the reviews more entertaining, I will be doing them in a variety of unexpected formats. For this review, I will be writing as Crookshanks fan fiction.

Crookshanks swished his tail back and forth as he crept up the stairs to the boys' bedrooms. He knew the rat wasn't what it was pretending to be, but all of his attempts to alert the humans to this fact had failed. "I don't know why I even bother," he muttered to himself. "I could get along fine without any of them. Let the rat do whatever it is it's trying to do. So long as Girl keeps feeding me and scratching my belly, I'll - hello, what's this?"

He could smell the rat. Its scent was like nothing Crookshanks had ever smelled, and for all his time living in a magical pet shop, he'd smelled a lot. The rat did smell like a rat, yes, but there was also something else. Something... human. It was just like that big black dog he'd met on the grounds the other day. Every instinct in him had screamed to run away, but there was that smell. And even Crookshanks knew what they said about cats and curiosity. The dog had turned out to be more than just a dog, and it had convinced Crookshanks to help it. First order of business: retrieve a certain rat from the bedroom of the Red-Haired Boy.

The Boy wasn't in, but the rat was. Crookshanks circled the bed a few times. This time, maybe, he would be able to get the damn thing. He tensed for a moment and then leapt onto the bed.

By luck or skill, he was nearly on top of the thing when he landed. "A-HA!" he yowled. "Gotcha!" He pinned the rat under his sizable paw. "Where you gonna run to now, ratty?" he asked, sneering as best he could.

The rat writhed in his grip. "Please," it said. "Just let me go. You don't know what will happen if you eat me, it would be a terrible mistake!"

"A mistake, eh?" the cat said. "We'll see about that. I have a great big doggie friend who's just aching to get his jaws around you...."

He barely had time to finish his sentence when the rat went mad. It squealed and bit and slashed with its paws. And then, against all of Crookshanks' previous experience - it grew! It nearly threw the cat off the bed as it became much more massive - its legs lengthened and its arms stretched until it had reached a human size and shape. Crookshanks goggled. Of all the things he'd expected from this rat, this wasn't it. The human grabbed at him, but Crookshanks was too fast. He jumped off the bed and shimmied under the wardrobe, where he could see but not be seen.

The human looked around, breathing heavily. He was pale and thin, and still looked ratty. "Think, Peter, think," he said. "Gotta get out of here, but..." He stopped, glanced at the wardrobe, and grimaced. "You may just have given me my way out, cat," he said. And then he bit the ball of his hand.

Blood dripped out, leaving spreading red blotches on the sheets. "They'll think it was you," he said. "They'll leave me for dead and I'll be free to rejoin my Lord." He looked at the recently repaired curtains on Ron's bed. "It's not safe here anymore." He sucked at the wound to stop the bloodflow and then went to the window. Perched on the windowsill, he looked over at Crookshanks' hiding place. "If I were human," he said, "the fall would kill me. But as a rat...." His body rippled and twisted and shrank, and then there was an old grey rat on the sill. Crookshanks was pretty sure it winked at him before leaping off.

After a minute or two, Crookshanks wriggled out from under the wardrobe, his thoughts dark. The Red-Haired Boy was going to be angry, and so was the Girl. But more importantly, the Dog was going to be furious. It was barely holding on to its sanity as it was. Crookshanks shook his head. This was going to get worse before it would get better......more

Hannah DirenzoThe third Harry Potter book is full of action and suspense! It makes me interested in reading and want to read more. There's a lot of events that I abThe third Harry Potter book is full of action and suspense! It makes me interested in reading and want to read more. There's a lot of events that I absolutely don't expect! If you haven't started reading the Harry Potter series, then get a move on and read! You'll love it!!!...more
Jun 29, 2015 01:36PM

Liamif there was a normal DADA teacher they would make the title Harry Potter and the Most Boring Year Ever...
Apr 04, 2015 06:43PM

India SacharI know, what is up with these teachers?! Will anyone be normal? I was thinking the same thing when I finished the book. . . The bad thing is that we aI know, what is up with these teachers?! Will anyone be normal? I was thinking the same thing when I finished the book. . . The bad thing is that we always know who is going to be evil. The Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Every. Single. Time. So far. Give us some change!...more
Jul 30, 2015 10:53AM

The phone conversation at the beginning between Ron and Uncle Vernon was PRICELESS. I wish so much that that scene had been in the movie.

I was so into reading this book that I failed to take notes, so I don't have many specifics to add except that I love how Crookshanks was basically Sirius's secret agent spy cat friend and I LOVE THAT.

Also, this book demonstrated some very REAL aspects of school. For example,Re-Read in December 2014 for Harry Christmas to You

OH MAN. THIS BOOK IS SO MY FAVORITE.

The phone conversation at the beginning between Ron and Uncle Vernon was PRICELESS. I wish so much that that scene had been in the movie.

I was so into reading this book that I failed to take notes, so I don't have many specifics to add except that I love how Crookshanks was basically Sirius's secret agent spy cat friend and I LOVE THAT.

Also, this book demonstrated some very REAL aspects of school. For example, Hermione took on too much work, and she gradually started to go crazy (and consequently distanced herself from her friends, became more moody, and then finally just bitch-slapped Malfoy). I also found Oliver Wood to be hilarious in this book for similar reasons: this was his last year at Hogwarts, and he wanted nothing more than to win the Quidditch Cup so he could have some sort of glory at Hogwarts, and he became so consumed by it (as I'm sure lots of people on sports teams do). The way he was so emotionally invested really cracked me up but also felt so real.

Side note: CEDRIC IS SO DAMN NICE. when he realized that Harry fell off his broom during the Quidditch game and Hufflepuff won he called for a rematch, which says a lot about him, and it just makes what happens in the next book that much worse.

But of course, all of the Marauders stuff made my inner fangirl go nuts because it has to be my favorite Harry Potter storyline. (I mean, I didn't name my YouTube channel after them or anything...)

Literally one of the best books I've ever read. I was chained to it for two days. I cried and laughed and yelled SHIT when all of the action went down.

I'm such a peasant for judging this series before I had read it. I read the first two and half of this one when I was about 10, before reading was cool, before I had the attention span that reading requires (I know these are kids' books but I was a particularly distracted child). I did not know, Mother Rowling. Forgive my sin, and all the times whLiterally one of the best books I've ever read. I was chained to it for two days. I cried and laughed and yelled SHIT when all of the action went down.

I'm such a peasant for judging this series before I had read it. I read the first two and half of this one when I was about 10, before reading was cool, before I had the attention span that reading requires (I know these are kids' books but I was a particularly distracted child). I did not know, Mother Rowling. Forgive my sin, and all the times when I said, "I don't think Harry Potter is really my thing". Please.

This book was incredible and this series is a classic more than any Dickens or Middle Earth or Narnia shit has any right to be. This series isn't up it's own ass; it's so accessible and readable and meaningful.

God damn me! How could I have been so blind?

Forgive me, because this book changed the game. This book deserves 7 stars and I'm getting the cover art (from my edition) tattooed on my thigh.

The following checklist will tell you all you need to know about Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban's suitability for you. The more checkmarks you have, the more you need to tackle this wonder of modern literature.

1. Do you have Daddy issues? ✓ or ✘2. Has a creepy middle aged man been sleeping with you for years, unbeknownst to you? ✓ or ✘3. Does the full moon make you anxious? ✓ or ✘4. Have you ever gorged on chocolate to combat depression? ✓ or ✘5. Do you find there just isn't enough time in the day? ✓ or ✘6. Are you misunderstood? ✓ or ✘7. Do you have an overactive sense of justice that gets you into trouble? ✓ or ✘8. Do you break rules whenever you can? ✓ or ✘9. Do you scoff at personal danger, especially when it gets in the way of your fun? ✓ or ✘10. Are you a dog lover, or would you like to be one? ✓ or ✘

1-2: You'd probably rather be reading Finnegan's Wake, The Book of Mormon or Sally Dick and Jane3-5: Skip it and watch the movie.6-8: Time to dust off that copy and give it a whirl.9-10: Put your existential crisis aside. Shave your moustache. Take a day off work, and read this book. It won't change your life, but it'll be like reading about your dream self.

It was September 1998; the third Harry Potter book had just been released. Pottermania? What's that? It was still unknown except to a vast population of younglings who'd read it... and I fell in love. Oh, how I fell in love. I fell in love with the poor, starved-for-affection, later known to be a twit Harry. I fell in love with the pretentious know-it-all Hermione. I fell in love with the awkward, grew-up-in-his-brother's-shadows Ron... and most of all? I fell in love with the snarky, unplatableIt was September 1998; the third Harry Potter book had just been released. Pottermania? What's that? It was still unknown except to a vast population of younglings who'd read it... and I fell in love. Oh, how I fell in love. I fell in love with the poor, starved-for-affection, later known to be a twit Harry. I fell in love with the pretentious know-it-all Hermione. I fell in love with the awkward, grew-up-in-his-brother's-shadows Ron... and most of all? I fell in love with the snarky, unplatable, snarling, rude, hygienically-disinclined professor of potions, Severus Snape.

Almost ten years later, I'm still obsessed with it in many ways.

I think this is my favorite of all the Harry Potter books thus far. This is the one that introduces Sirius Black, who I sometimes loathe (only sometimes!) and Remus Lupin, who I will always, always love. And of course, this is the book that gave us one piece of Severus Snape's background. And that was the infamous Prank that may or may not have destroyed Snape's trust in Dumbledore. Would you have trusted someone who didn't at least suspend the one who'd tried to kill you? I don't think so. This is also the book where I found myself looking at Dumbledore with a new eye. He's a crafty old fella, I tell you that. He'll do anything to gain his means, regardless of how he may personally feel on the matter. Grandpa Albus, he ain't.

Harry Potter changed my life. If I hadn’t read Harry Potter when I did I would not be the same person today. What I am today, in a part is due to Harry. I cannot really say enough to make you understand how much Harry Potter means to me.

I grew up with Harry Potter. Yes, I am that generation. I was a little bit younger than 11 when the books were released, and when the final book was published I had just graduated high school. I'm also the same age as Daniel Radcliffe and he's only older than me by less than a month. I also have a deathly hallows bumper sticker on my car. So, I think it's safe to say that this series has had a profound effect on me, to the point where I am still a little bit bitter tha 5 Expecto Patronum stars!

I grew up with Harry Potter. Yes, I am that generation. I was a little bit younger than 11 when the books were released, and when the final book was published I had just graduated high school. I'm also the same age as Daniel Radcliffe and he's only older than me by less than a month. I also have a deathly hallows bumper sticker on my car. So, I think it's safe to say that this series has had a profound effect on me, to the point where I am still a little bit bitter that I never got my Hogwarts acceptance letter.

A couple years ago I reread the first two books in the series and loved them just as much as when I was a kid. So when I got into a horrible reading slump, I saw my dad watching Harry Potter weekend on ABC Family (as he does for every fucking Harry Potter weekend mind you), I said to myself, what the hell. Time for a reread. So hence, Harry Potter 3 reread.

All of us may know the story but I am going to reiterate. In his third year at Hogwarts, Harry Potter learns that a dangerous man named Sirius Black has escaped from the wizard prison Azkaban. Harry then overhears the fact that Black is the reason his parents are dead, as Black sold them out to Voldemort and then killed 13 people in broad daylight.

So in a unique part of the review from me, here are all the amazing parts of this book that I forgot because I've been watching the movies instead:

-Peeves the Poltergeist: Holy crap how did I forget about this hilarious menacing spirit? He's not as present in this book but he has always had a part in the series and I completely forgot he existed! I know they can't include everything in the movies but I wish Peeves had been included.

-Charlie Weasley: Ron had yet ANOTHER sibling that is only mentioned in the films! This one is the cool brother in Egypt.

-Cho Chang and Cedric Diggory: there are soooooo many mentions of Cho and Cedric in this book! I never really noticed Cedric until the 4th book where he becomes prominent. And this is the book where Harry's crush on Cho began. Stomach flutters!

-More details on Whomping Willow/Shrieking Shack: This may be a spoiler for those of you who haven't read it, but the Whomping Willow was actually planted to hide Lupin's werewolfism as well as the shrieking shack to hide him. I thought this little tidbit was super interesting, along with the details of how Black escaped Azkaban.

And just in general, I love JK Rowling's ability to tie things together. There's so much in this book that becomes important later and tiny little details and sharp wit that make me giggle.

So in a small factoid, this book is probably my least favorite of the entire series. It's good, obviously, but for some reason I like all the other ones better. The movie, well it's my second to last favorite (just ahead of that godawful Goblet of Fire film which ruined everything but I digress). The movie director added so many unnecessary things that weren't in the book, and I wish he hadn't so he could of kept the good stuff! (And I've heard a rumor that he didn't even read the fucking book until JK kept vetoing all of his weird ideas. Look it up!)

If you haven't read these books, do not tell me!!!!! I will smack you!

Rachel ♥Reads Ravenously♥ Mo wrote: "Great review, Rachel. I feel OLD. I remember standing in line for one of the books with my son - it was a midnight release. Cannot rememberMo wrote: "Great review, Rachel. I feel OLD. I remember standing in line for one of the books with my son - it was a midnight release. Cannot remember the book."

Thanks Mo! I think I went to a few of those but would fight my dad over who got to read the book first lol...more
Jun 20, 2015 09:22AM

MoRachel Reads Ravenously wrote: "Mo wrote: "Great review, Rachel. I feel OLD. I remember standing in line for one of the books with my son - it was a mRachel ♥Reads Ravenously♥ wrote: "Mo wrote: "Great review, Rachel. I feel OLD. I remember standing in line for one of the books with my son - it was a midnight release. Cannot remember the book."

Thanks Mo! I think I went to a few..."

LOL. My hubby bought the first HP book, thinking it was for adults and really enjoyed it. It had a different cover, geared towards the adult market I think....more
Jun 20, 2015 09:43AM

These are rhetorical. So, don't bother answering because I already know what you'll say. You'll agree with me that this is by far the best Harry Potter novel, and I'll add that I just couldn't put it down, nor did I want to.

This was great, this was stunning, this was grand. I loved it so much. This was a tad bit scary too, considering the previous two novels. I think Harry is growing

“I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.”

Wasn't this epic. Didn't this stun you into silence after reading it.

These are rhetorical. So, don't bother answering because I already know what you'll say. You'll agree with me that this is by far the best Harry Potter novel, and I'll add that I just couldn't put it down, nor did I want to.

This was great, this was stunning, this was grand. I loved it so much. This was a tad bit scary too, considering the previous two novels. I think Harry is growing up, so do Ron & Hermione. Our little heroes are no longer babies, they are growing up fast and I am gladly keeping up with them.

Is there any other way to say that I loved what J. K. Rowling did with Wormtail, I loved how it was all a big twist. I loved how things were so unpredictable and you didn't know what to get ready for next.

This was thrilling and exhilarating. I was just reading and reading and reading like a junkie addicted to their drug, that was my brand of heroine for sure..

I loved Sirius and I loved Remus. I loved everything about this. I love the relationship between Harry, Ron & Hermione. They all fit together, they need no one else. It's just them three and it's enough because they know that they'll always have together, and no matter what they'll stick together because that's what friends are for. And being different people, having diffent personalities doesn't bring us apart, it brings people together. It makes the friendship more interesting, more unpredictable.

The third film is my favorite of the series because it's a bit darker than the previous too, and the story gets creepier and moodier with the unfolding of Sirius Black's tale. However, I don't think the third book is my favorite to read. I do love the whole Time-Turner/Inception situation that goes on near the end. And the introduction of Lupin and Black are such great additions to the series (and Buckbeak, but what ever happens to him?).

I'm really enjoying these rereads, anReread November 2014

The third film is my favorite of the series because it's a bit darker than the previous too, and the story gets creepier and moodier with the unfolding of Sirius Black's tale. However, I don't think the third book is my favorite to read. I do love the whole Time-Turner/Inception situation that goes on near the end. And the introduction of Lupin and Black are such great additions to the series (and Buckbeak, but what ever happens to him?).

I'm really enjoying these rereads, and it makes me even more excited to get into books 4-7 because I haven't reread those books in so long! And the kids get older, the story gets more intense, and everything begins to unravel and you have to try and start putting the pieces back together.

Here, as I've done with Sorcerer's Stone and Chamber of Secrets, are some of my thoughts from rereading the 3rd book:-Hermione's boggart is McGonagall telling her she's failed all her subjects haha.-For not liking Scabbers as a pet that much, Ron really has a hard time letting him go when Sirius asks to prove he is Pettigrew-"Ron put his weight gingerly on the leg"- ok Rowling, a ginger pun? Great.-At one point when they're healing in the hopsital wing, Hermione is described as looking 'petrified.' #TBT-Also, Madame Pomfrey's first name is Poppy. Poppy Pomfrey. What.

Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban has always been, in my opinion, one of the best books of the series. Even as far as the movies go, I feel that POA is by far the best book to film adaptation out of all 8 movies. Yes Harry Potter and Ron and Hermione are still fairly young in the third book, but I find they have matured quite a bit this time around. They're officially in their teens, and they've already had their fair share of adventures. This time around however, Harry has more to worrHarry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban has always been, in my opinion, one of the best books of the series. Even as far as the movies go, I feel that POA is by far the best book to film adaptation out of all 8 movies. Yes Harry Potter and Ron and Hermione are still fairly young in the third book, but I find they have matured quite a bit this time around. They're officially in their teens, and they've already had their fair share of adventures. This time around however, Harry has more to worry about than just Voldemort (as if that in itself weren't enough). Harry's Summer vacation at the Dursley's take a turn for the worse when Uncle Vernon's vile sister Marge comes to visit. She is completely horrible to Harry, and by comparison makes his Aunt & Uncle look almost human. After a disastrous visit ends abruptly (lol) Harry finds himself spending his last two weeks of Summer vacation in Diagon Alley. I always feel so happy about Harry being able to soak in his magical surroundings and do as he pleases...I mean how fun would it be to hang out in Diagon Alley?!

The writing in this one is above reproach. I read somewhere that JK Rowling said that when she had finished writing 'Half Blood Prince' she said she hadn't been that satisfied with a book since Prisoner of Azkaban, and I feel it shows: this is JKR at her best. There are so many new magical elements added in the mix this time : The Maurauder's Map, the discovery of the identity of the Maurauders themselves, the Dementors are absolute nightmares (view spoiler)[ I've always found it so telling of Harry that his Boggart is NOT Voldemort, but a Dementor. Like Lupin says, Harry's worst fear, is fear itself. And Lupin is right; it is really brave ♥ (hide spoiler)] , the Patronus charms are really cool, and always have me imagining what I think my own Patronus would be. I also really enjoy the visits the the wizarding village of Hogsmeade, the only all wizard settlement in London.

(view spoiler)[ Now as for a few of the best elements of POA; Remus Lupin & Sirius Black. Lupin is the first competent Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher we've ever been introduced to. But as a character, he's a little tragic. He also shares my birthday and that's pretty cool :) And after reading the book thinking one thing about Sirius Black, finding out the truth is staggering, and wonderful all at once. The 30 minutes Harry believes he'll be able to move in with Sirius...*sigh* and have something close to a home...and a family. Again it's tragic but beautiful. (hide spoiler)]

As usual, the book has the requisite Dumbledore & Harry heart to heart ending. And Dumbledore always contributes a hint at a key plot element that will come to play again later on in the story. (view spoiler)[ There will come a time when Harry is grateful he saved Pettigrew's life... (hide spoiler)] Re-reading is fun just because of those little hints. My first time through, I pretty much inhaled the series whole, so some of the little hints I had forgotten about. It's brilliant to see how it all fits together in the end...every little detail is woven into the plot for a reason. Not many authors accomplish such a feat, but J.K. Rowling does it seamlessly.["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>...more

NiraliI know right!! It is my favorite series and I don't think I would dare to read another book series and love it as much as I love harry potter. I meanI know right!! It is my favorite series and I don't think I would dare to read another book series and love it as much as I love harry potter. I mean just think, how exciting would it be to hang out with harry in the wizard world and make magic and see Azkaban And of course Dumbledore!? And by the way, Dumbledore is also one of my favorite character....more
Feb 07, 2013 02:52PM

BeckyBest book and movie out of the series. So glad someone else agrees! :)
Jan 18, 2014 05:32PM

Actual Rating: 4.5 starsThis book was a lot better than the movie! Really enjoyed it, and can't wait to finally be able to read Goblet of Fire, its gonna be goooood!!!There's nothing really more to say because, well, its Harry Potter, and everything's been said 5 billion times over, haha

See, I've got this homework stuff that I'm supposed to be doing instead of reading. But school is so boring all of a sudden, and home life is a bit strained, too, and it's so nice to escape. . .

No, I'm not a tween. I'm nearly thirty years old. But the same general issues still apply to me. This series has come to me at theNow that I have three of these under my belt, it's time to take a break.

See, I've got this homework stuff that I'm supposed to be doing instead of reading. But school is so boring all of a sudden, and home life is a bit strained, too, and it's so nice to escape. . .

No, I'm not a tween. I'm nearly thirty years old. But the same general issues still apply to me. This series has come to me at the right time (I just really, badly, desperately need to get away from life now), so I'm thoroughly enjoying it. So much so that I have neglected other things.

I don't even feel guilty about neglecting important stuff. I just know that I need to take a break to be a grown up again. I'll come back once I've gotten a comfortable lead on school stuff, though. ...more

Larissa GuerreroIt's so funny you said that, because i have a final today at night, and i had to sit thru and finish #3 because if i didn't, i knew i wouldn't be ableIt's so funny you said that, because i have a final today at night, and i had to sit thru and finish #3 because if i didn't, i knew i wouldn't be able to study!!!! Haha so i just read until the last page, and now i can concentrate on studying. Lol - also not a tween here....more
Aug 10, 2012 06:47AM

Kelly DerseI still escape to these books, its sad knowing there is nothing more <3
May 14, 2014 03:00PM

Trust me when I tell you I'm in love with this series. I just can't believe it's been years since I read this and still feels the same. Just like the first time, it was all there. Excitement, surprise, sadness and Sirius. One of my favorite characters of the series.

JK Rowling is a genius. Plot twist and another twist at the end, just in case you were asking for more.

Now this is where Rowling strikes gold! I thought AZKABAN was not only easily the best of first three, but one of the best books I've read in a long time. The storyline is easily the strongest of the first three installments, and for once Voldemort is not the main villain driving the plot, but a renegade supporter who murdered 13 people with a single curse.

What makes Azkaban so interesting is learning about the relationships between James Potter, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew, and SNow this is where Rowling strikes gold! I thought AZKABAN was not only easily the best of first three, but one of the best books I've read in a long time. The storyline is easily the strongest of the first three installments, and for once Voldemort is not the main villain driving the plot, but a renegade supporter who murdered 13 people with a single curse.

What makes Azkaban so interesting is learning about the relationships between James Potter, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew, and Severus Snape.

Rowling introduces a new magical artifiact called the Marauder's Map, which she uncharacteristically fully explains by the end of the novel. The map shows you the location of everyone on the Hogwarts grounds, a tremendously useful item, supplied, appropriately enough, by those masters of mischief, Fred and George.

Another great new bit of magic in the book is the Patronus, a magical spell that will help fight back the dementors and fear, a very advanced piece of magic for third year students.

There are many memorable scenes and events, and there's a lot more key information revealed about Harry's past.

DustinAWESOME review, Steve! And you're so right, there's much more to Book 3 than conveyed in your review. Things really take a dark turn in Azkaban(viewAWESOME review, Steve! And you're so right, there's much more to Book 3 than conveyed in your review. Things really take a dark turn in Azkaban(view spoiler)[and things are forever changed. Some for the better, others for the worse. (hide spoiler)]...more
Apr 15, 2015 12:27PM

I loved the first 2 books in this series but this one just swept me completely away! I love the storyline that Ms. Rowling has gifted us with. I watched the movies of some of the books years ago and I liked them but these books!

I want to run outside and scream READ THESE BOOKS! But then I think I'm one of the last people in the universe that hasn't. So I'll be sorta quiet. P.S. Read these books!

I loved the first 2 books in this series but this one just swept me completely away! I love the storyline that Ms. Rowling has gifted us with. I watched the movies of some of the books years ago and I liked them but these books!

I want to run outside and scream READ THESE BOOKS! But then I think I'm one of the last people in the universe that hasn't. So I'll be sorta quiet. P.S. Read these books!

ShandraShelby wrote: "Shandra wrote: "You definitely aren't the last one!!! I've only read the first four, and that was fairly recently!!"

You'll have to joinShelby wrote: "Shandra wrote: "You definitely aren't the last one!!! I've only read the first four, and that was fairly recently!!"

You'll have to join our group read!"

I would, but I am way too ADHD and can't read books in a series back to back. I get bored with the world and the characters, no matter how amazing the story is. I need a couple of books between or I lose interest. I may do book five with you guys though, at least!...more
Dec 05, 2013 08:40AM

Shelby *wants some flying monkeys*Shandra wrote: "Shelby wrote: "Shandra wrote: "You definitely aren't the last one!!! I've only read the first four, and that was fairly recently!!"

YouShandra wrote: "Shelby wrote: "Shandra wrote: "You definitely aren't the last one!!! I've only read the first four, and that was fairly recently!!"

A couple of summers ago I tried to read Harry Potter. I expected to be unimpressed, and I was was. The first two novels in the series are unspectacular. After reading more children's literature recently I've realized that they are fairly standard fair for the kiddie fantasy genre, but that still left me wondering why everyone cared so much about this little nerdling. If I hadn't engrossed myself in books for kids this summer I probably wouldn't have ever gotten decided toMy Harry Potter Apology

A couple of summers ago I tried to read Harry Potter. I expected to be unimpressed, and I was was. The first two novels in the series are unspectacular. After reading more children's literature recently I've realized that they are fairly standard fair for the kiddie fantasy genre, but that still left me wondering why everyone cared so much about this little nerdling. If I hadn't engrossed myself in books for kids this summer I probably wouldn't have ever gotten decided to give Harry Potter another chance. I needed to figure out why, why was this series so popular? What makes this a huge cultural phenomena, while a book series like Percy Jackson is only a best-seller that adults don't jizz themselves over? Having read two of the PJ and HP, I decided I needed to investigate this a little more. It didn't hurt that I was bored last weekend and watched the second Harry Potter movie and found myself enjoying it and actually watched it all in one sitting, something I haven't done for a movie in months.

Ok. Going into HP3 I was skeptical. I found the PJ's first two novels if not better than more interesting. They were about Greek mythology, and while silly at times they were a pretty fun take on all of the creatures and God's met in The Odyssey. I'll take stories involving Athena and Gorgons over Dumbledore and Voldemort any day.

Strangely I was wrong about Harry Potter. I hate to admit when my prejudices are wrong, but apparently I am not infallible. While I still stand behind my judgment of books one and two being fairly fun but predictable and too episodic for my taste, book three seemed to move drastically beyond the almost cookie-cutter quality of Rowling's first two forays, and created a very full world that had enough depth to the characters and actions that I stopped feeling like I was being dragged along by the nose through an unengaging text. I don't know what to really say, except I really ended up enjoying it, enough so that I looked forward to starting book 4 (which I have started but have to say isn't living up to this book so far).

When I was shamefully buying this book a cashier told me that this was her favorite in the series. Someone else stopped to tell me while I sat on the stoop behind work that it was their favorite too. I'm wondering if this is the pinnacle of the series, and that after this it just becomes a need to keep on reading, hoping that the heights of book 3 will be reached again, and feeling compelled to finish a series that one could feel very invested in. I don't know.

As a side note, I had the thought that while I made fun of adults who loudly proclaimed their love for the HP books, especially around the time when the fourth one came out (this was the moment the little nerdling entered on to my myopic cultural radar, and I had my initial disgust at reading newspaper articles with adults saying they love the books and they aren't kids books, blah blah blah), I kind of get what they are saying. I don't agree with them, I don't think it's the greatest thing ever written, and I have lots of books I liked more than this one, but for a person who reads shitty books and lives on a diet of Grisham and Patterson with some other easy to digest cookie cutter adult novelists thrown in, this book would read like literature. ...more

For me, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was when the series got interesting. It certainly got darker and more mature. Torture, loss, a foreboding sense of dread and death itself descended upon this happy little world of magic where school exams and difficult professors were the worst things to worry about. It also introduced a reason for Harry to want to live: his godfather, a connection to his parents. Up until then there was little joy in Harry's life. Sure there was theShit got real!

For me, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was when the series got interesting. It certainly got darker and more mature. Torture, loss, a foreboding sense of dread and death itself descended upon this happy little world of magic where school exams and difficult professors were the worst things to worry about. It also introduced a reason for Harry to want to live: his godfather, a connection to his parents. Up until then there was little joy in Harry's life. Sure there was the school, but that would end soon enough. Rowling did a smart thing when she introduced Sirius Black, she gave Harry a human bond and something to lose. As readers our attachment grew with his. ...more

To be honest, over the years I've been a bit of a book snob when it comes to the Harry Potter books. I appreciated the fact that my nephews and nieces loved the books and that they would buy and read them as soon as they came out. Anything that helps children learn to enjoy reading deserves special praise, but ME read "a kid's book"? It wasn't going to happen and I was especially annoyed when The Goblet of Fire won the premier sci-fi award, The Hugo Award, in 2001. However, I've watched all theTo be honest, over the years I've been a bit of a book snob when it comes to the Harry Potter books. I appreciated the fact that my nephews and nieces loved the books and that they would buy and read them as soon as they came out. Anything that helps children learn to enjoy reading deserves special praise, but ME read "a kid's book"? It wasn't going to happen and I was especially annoyed when The Goblet of Fire won the premier sci-fi award, The Hugo Award, in 2001. However, I've watched all the movies with my daughter, who absolutely loved them, and finally felt curious enough to pick up a copy of the 1st book and give it a try. I surprised myself by liking it.

I enjoyed this book also. Rowling may not have the most elegant of prose styles, but she has a wealth of imagination and the ability to write a carefully plotted story with some well drawn characters in it. There's a nice mix of the magical and the mundane throughout the book. There are invisability cloaks and magical maps, but there are also essays to write, bullies and intimidating teachers to endure, and final exams to survive that help give children (and those of us who remember being children) things we can relate to.

Events in this book also take a decidely darker and more adult turn as the story progresses and it does a good job of adding emotional depth to the back story. So I'm happy to admit that I made a mistake with this series and should have lined up at the book store with my nephew and nieces each time one of these books was published....more

Like I always say I gravitate towards books that highlight familial aspect and lonely characters.

What always struck me about Harry Potter is that he grew up in a toxic and abusive environment. He was an orphan. And he had no one. but then he met Ron, Hermione and the Weasleys, who showed him that blood ties isn't the only means of family. Love, bond and loyalty do. And that's the most beautiful thing about this whole series.

Such a great book! I love how much these characters develop as the books go on, and Remus and Sirius are some of my favorite characters. I feel like this is one I confuse with the movie a lot because I LOVE the PoA movie, so it was interesting to see some of the changes! Though it's a pretty faithful adaptation. Overall, just so great. I LOVE HARRY POTTER OMG.

See also: Robert GalbraithAlthough she writes under the pen name J.K. Rowling, pronounced like rolling, her name when her first Harry Potter book was published was simply Joanne Rowling. Anticipating that the target audience of young boys might not want to read a book written by a woman, her publishers demanded that she use two initials, rather than her full name. As she had no middle name, she chSee also: Robert GalbraithAlthough she writes under the pen name J.K. Rowling, pronounced like rolling, her name when her first Harry Potter book was published was simply Joanne Rowling. Anticipating that the target audience of young boys might not want to read a book written by a woman, her publishers demanded that she use two initials, rather than her full name. As she had no middle name, she chose K as the second initial of her pen name, from her paternal grandmother Kathleen Ada Bulgen Rowling. She calls herself Jo and has said, "No one ever called me 'Joanne' when I was young, unless they were angry." Following her marriage, she has sometimes used the name Joanne Murray when conducting personal business. During the Leveson Inquiry she gave evidence under the name of Joanne Kathleen Rowling. In a 2012 interview, Rowling noted that she no longer cared that people pronounced her name incorrectly.

Rowling was born to Peter James Rowling, a Rolls-Royce aircraft engineer, and Anne Rowling (née Volant), on 31 July 1965 in Yate, Gloucestershire, England, 10 miles (16 km) northeast of Bristol. Her mother Anne was half-French and half-Scottish. Her parents first met on a train departing from King's Cross Station bound for Arbroath in 1964. They married on 14 March 1965. Her mother's maternal grandfather, Dugald Campbell, was born in Lamlash on the Isle of Arran. Her mother's paternal grandfather, Louis Volant, was awarded the Croix de Guerre for exceptional bravery in defending the village of Courcelles-le-Comte during the First World War.

Rowling's sister Dianne was born at their home when Rowling was 23 months old. The family moved to the nearby village Winterbourne when Rowling was four. She attended St Michael's Primary School, a school founded by abolitionist William Wilberforce and education reformer Hannah More. Her headmaster at St Michael's, Alfred Dunn, has been suggested as the inspiration for the Harry Potter headmaster Albus Dumbledore.

As a child, Rowling often wrote fantasy stories, which she would usually then read to her sister. She recalls that: "I can still remember me telling her a story in which she fell down a rabbit hole and was fed strawberries by the rabbit family inside it. Certainly the first story I ever wrote down (when I was five or six) was about a rabbit called Rabbit. He got the measles and was visited by his friends, including a giant bee called Miss Bee." At the age of nine, Rowling moved to Church Cottage in the Gloucestershire village of Tutshill, close to Chepstow, Wales. When she was a young teenager, her great aunt, who Rowling said "taught classics and approved of a thirst for knowledge, even of a questionable kind," gave her a very old copy of Jessica Mitford's autobiography, Hons and Rebels. Mitford became Rowling's heroine, and Rowling subsequently read all of her books.

Rowling has said of her teenage years, in an interview with The New Yorker, "I wasn’t particularly happy. I think it’s a dreadful time of life." She had a difficult homelife; her mother was ill and she had a difficult relationship with her father (she is no longer on speaking terms with him). She attended secondary school at Wyedean School and College, where her mother had worked as a technician in the science department. Rowling said of her adolescence, "Hermione [a bookish, know-it-all Harry Potter character] is loosely based on me. She's a caricature of me when I was eleven, which I'm not particularly proud of." Steve Eddy, who taught Rowling English when she first arrived, remembers her as "not exceptional" but "one of a group of girls who were bright, and quite good at English." Sean Harris, her best friend in the Upper Sixth owned a turquoise Ford Anglia, which she says inspired the one in her books....more

“Mr. Moony presents his compliments to Professor Snape, and begs him to keep his abnormally large nose out of other people's business.Mr. Prongs agrees with Mr. Moony, and would like to add that Professor Snape is an ugly git.Mr. Padfoot would like to register his astonishment that an idiot like that ever became a professor.Mr. Wormtail bids Professor Snape good day, and advises him to wash his hair, the slimeball.”
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